Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EP-I-SOD'IC, or EP-I-SOD'IC-AL, a.

Pertaining to an episode; contained in an episode or digression. Dryden.

EP-I-SOD'IC-AL-LY, adv.

By way of episode. Scott.

EP-I-SPAS'TIC, a. [Gr. επισπαστικα, from επισπαω, to draw.]

In medicine, drawing; attracting the humors to the skin; exciting action in the skin; blistering.

EP-I-SPAS'TIC, n.

A topical remedy, applied to the external part of the body, for the purpose of drawing the humors to the part, or exciting action in the skin; a blister. Encyc. Coxe.

EP'I-SPERM, n. [Gr. επι and σπερμα.]

The outer integument of a seed.

EP-I-STIL'BITE, n.

A mineral, white and translucent. The primary form of the crystal is a right rhombic prism. Rose.

E-PIS'TLE, n. [epis'l; L. epistola; Gr. επιστολη, from επιστελλω, to send to; επι and στελλω, to send; G. stellen, to set.]

A writing, directed or sent, communicating intelligence to a distant person; a letter; a letter missive. It is rarely used in familiar conversation or writings, but chiefly in solemn or formal transactions. It is used particularly in speaking of the letters of the Apostles, as the epistles of Paul; and of other letters written by the ancients, as the epistles of Pliny or of Cicero.

E-PIS'TLER, n.

1. A writer of epistles. [Little used.]
2. Formerly, one who attended the communion table and read the epistles.

E-PIS'TO-LA-RY, a.

1. Pertaining to epistles or letters; suitable to letters and correspondence; familiar; as, an epistolary style.
2. Contained in letters; carried on by letters; as, an epislolary correspondence.

E-PIS-TOL'IC, or E-PIS-TOL'IC-AL, a.

1. Pertaining to letters or epistles.
2. Designating the method of representing ideas by letters and words. Warburton.

E-PIS'TOL-IZE, v.i.

To write epistles or letters. Howell.

E-PIS'TO-LIZ-ER, n.

A writer of epistles. Howell.

E-PIS-TO-LO-GRAPH'IC, a.

Pertaining to the writing of letters.

E-PIS-TO-LOG'RA-PHY, n. [Gr. επιστολη, a letter, and γραφω, to write.]

The art or practice of writing letters. Encyc.

E-PIS'TRO-PHE, or E-PIS'TRO-PHY, n. [Gr. επιστροφη; επι and στροφη, a return.]

A figure, in rhetoric, in which several successive sentences end with the same word or affirmation. Bailey. Ash.

EP'I-STYLE, n. [Gr. επι and στυλος, a column.]

In ancient architecture, a term used by the Greeks for what is now called the architrave, a massive piece of stone or wood laid immediately on the abacus of the capital of a column or pillar. Encyc.

EP'I-TAPH, n. [Gr. επι and ταφος, a sepulcher.]

1. An inscription on a monument, in honor or memory of the dead. The epitaphs of the present day are crammcd with fulsome compliments never merited. Encyc. Can you look forward to the honor of a decorated coffin, a splendid funeral, a towering monument – it may be a lying epitaph. W. B. Sprague.
2. An ettlon-, in prose or verse, composed without any intent to be engraven on a monument, as that on Alexander; “Sufficit huic tumulus, cui non sufficeret orbis.” Encyc.

EP-I-TAPH'I-AN, a.

Pertaining to an epitaph. Milton.

EP'I-TA-SIS, n. [Gr.]

In rhetoric, the consequent term of a proposition. [See Protasis.]

EP-I-THA-LA'MI-UM, or EP-I-THAL'A-MY, n. [Gr. επιθαλαμιον; επι and θαλαμος, a bed-chamber.]

A nuptial song or poem, in praise of the bride and bridegroom, and praying for their prosperity. The forty-fifth Psalm is an epithalamium to Christ and the church. Burnet.

EP-I-THEL'I-UM, n.

The cuticle of those parts of an animal not covered with true skin.

EP'I-THEM, n. [Gr. επιθημα; επι and τιθημι, to place.]

In pharmacy, a kind of fomentation or poultice, to be applied externally to strengthen the part. Encyc. Any external application, or topical medicine. The term has been restricted to liquids in which cloths are dipped, to be applied to a part. Parr. Turner.

EP'I-THET, n. [Gr. επιθητον, a name added, from επι, and τιθημι, to place.]

An adjective expressing some real quality of the thing to which it is applied, or an attributive expressing some quality ascribed to it; as, a verdant lawn; a brilliant appearance; a just man; an accurate description. It is sometimes used for title, name, phrase or expression; but improperly.

EP'I-THET, v.t.

To entitle; to describe by epithets. Wotton.

EP-I-THET'IC, a.

1. Pertaining to an epithet or epithets; containing or consisting of epithets.
2. Abounding with epithets. A style or composition may be too epithetic.